Baby Born During Harry Potter Screening Gets Cineworld Broughton Listed on Birth Certificate

A family trip to the cinema took an extraordinary turn when a woman went into labour and gave birth to her daughter during a screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Molly Connah, 32, was one day overdue when she visited Cineworld in Broughton, Flintshire, with her nine-year-old son Alfie and her parents.

About 40 to 45 minutes into the film, however, she began experiencing increasingly intense labour pains.

What started as an ordinary afternoon outing quickly became an emergency as Connah realised her baby was about to arrive.

Two Pushes and Baby Elsie Arrives

Connah recalled telling her mother that she felt she needed to push, only to be told that she could not possibly be ready to give birth.

“I said, ‘I can’t, I need to. I’ve got to,’” she recalled.

“Two pushes and my daughter was out.”

Elsie Lamb was born at 4.57pm inside the cinema, before medical professionals had arrived at the scene.

With staff working to protect Connah’s privacy, her mother picked up the newborn and placed her on her daughter’s chest.

Cinema Staff Spring Into Action

Cineworld manager Michelle McClean and team leader Leah Prytherch were among the staff who responded to the emergency.

After calling 999, employees gathered towels and sheets and used them to shield Connah from other members of the public moving through the cinema.

Staff from Starbucks also assisted during the unexpected delivery.

Connah praised those who helped, saying the Cineworld and Starbucks teams had been “absolutely amazing” and had done everything they could to give her privacy during the birth.

Paramedic Arrives Moments Later

A rapid response paramedic arrived shortly after Elsie was born and checked both mother and baby.

Connah recalled the paramedic entering and asking whether everything was all right, before her mother explained that the baby had already been delivered.

Two ambulances were subsequently sent to the cinema.

Connah was then taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital, where she required further treatment because of the unusually rapid delivery. She was later taken to theatre for stitches.

Both mother and daughter have since been reported to be doing well, with Elsie described as a particularly contented baby.

Labour Began After a Midwife Appointment

Earlier that afternoon, Connah had attended a midwife appointment at around 1.20pm for a sweep before heading to the cinema.

She said she could clearly remember the scene playing when she first realised something was wrong.

It was the part of the film in which Hagrid accompanies Harry while he gets his supplies for Hogwarts.

“I can remember the scene I was watching when I walked out,” she said.

“I thought something doesn’t feel right. It was getting more and more intense and I didn’t want anything to go wrong.”

Connah said her body appeared to go into shock as the situation developed, leaving her running largely on adrenaline.

Father Arrives Seconds After the Birth

Connah’s partner, Scott, had been asleep before preparing for a night shift when she called to tell him what was happening.

He immediately made his way to the cinema, but the birth happened so quickly that he arrived only seconds after Elsie was born.

Scott had attempted to call Connah three times while she was in the process of giving birth.

The family were left in what Connah described as “complete utter shock” at the unexpected arrival of their 7lb daughter.

“You don’t expect it in a million years,” she said.

‘Cineworld Broughton’ Appears on the Birth Certificate

The unusual circumstances followed Elsie into the official paperwork.

When Connah later went to register her daughter’s birth, she was asked where the baby had been born.

The family had to give the cinema’s location as the place of birth, meaning Elsie’s birth certificate records her birthplace as Cineworld Broughton.

Connah said the detail was an unusual reminder of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding her daughter’s arrival.

Big Brother Alfie Embraces His New Role

Nine-year-old Alfie has also quickly adapted to life as a big brother.

According to Connah, he has taken an active role in caring for Elsie, helping with nappy changes, holding her, walking with her and feeding her.

“He’s been amazing,” she said. “He absolutely loves it.”

Family Returns to Thank Cinema Staff

After leaving hospital and settling in with their new arrival, the family returned to Cineworld to thank the employees who helped during the dramatic delivery.

They brought chocolates, gifts and a card for the staff.

Because the unexpected birth meant they never got to see the end of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the family were also given four cinema passes.

They now have the opportunity to return and finally finish the film that became an unforgettable part of Elsie’s birth story.